Nikon D100 vs Nikon D70
Better figure, where one is clearly better
| NikonD100 | NikonD70 | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Released | June 2002 | March 2004 |
| Image and sensor | ||
| Camera type | DSLR | DSLR |
| Sensor format | APS-C | APS-C |
| Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
| Sensor dimensions | 23.7 × 15.6 mm | 23.7 × 15.6 mm |
| Effective resolution | 6.1 MP | 6.1 MP |
| Largest image | 3008 × 2000 | 3008 × 2000 |
| RAW recording | Yes | Yes |
| Standard ISO range | 200–1600 | 200–1600 |
| Sensor detail | 23.7 × 15.6 mm RGB CCD, 6.1 million effective and 6.31 million total pixels; 12-bit sampling. Optical low-pass filter, with cleaning mirror lock requiring optional EH-5 mains adapter | 6.24 million total pixels; Image Dust Off reference data for software correction |
| Image formats | Uncompressed or lossless-compressed 12-bit NEF RAW; uncompressed TIFF-RGB; JPEG Fine/Normal/Basic. Three colour modes for sRGB or Adobe RGB, adjustable sharpening, tone and hue; no simultaneous RAW/JPEG mode | JPEG, compressed 12-bit NEF RAW and RAW plus Basic JPEG |
| ISO detail | Standard ISO 200–1600 in one-third stops; Hi-1 and Hi-2 approximately ISO 3200 and 6400; automatic ISO control available | – |
| Image processor | High-speed image processing using a single-chip system LSI; no EXPEED designation in original maker sheet | – |
| Lens and shooting | ||
| Lens mount | Nikon F mount | Nikon F mount |
| Stabilisation | Optical lens stabilisation | Optical lens stabilisation |
| Maximum continuous burst | 3 fps | 3 fps |
| Lens detail | Nikon F mount with autofocus coupling and contacts; body autofocus motor. G/D AF Nikkor, other compatible AF lenses and AI-P supported with restrictions; non-CPU lenses only in M with no exposure meter. Current US page also claims AI metering and A mode, conflicting with its own non-CPU entry and original manual; original manual compatibility controls. E-type lenses incompatible | DX angle of view approximately 1.5× FX focal length; AF coupling supports compatible screw-drive lenses. Non-CPU AI lenses permit manual exposure without metering |
| Autofocus | Nikon Multi-CAM900 TTL phase detection; five selectable areas, single-area or dynamic AF with closest-subject priority; single/continuous servo and predictive tracking; -1 to +19 EV at ISO 100, 20°C; AF-assist illuminator | Multi-CAM 900 phase detection with five areas; AF-S and AF-C; single-area, dynamic-area and closest-subject modes |
| Shutter | Electronically controlled vertical-travel focal-plane shutter, 1/4000 to 30 seconds plus Bulb; flash synchronisation up to 1/180 second. Optional mirror anti-shock delay; cleaning mirror lock is distinct | Combined mechanical and CCD electronic shutter; 1/8000 to 30 seconds, Bulb and Time; flash sync 1/500 second |
| Burst detail | Approximately 3 fps under Nikon's manual-focus, manual-exposure, 1/250-second-or-faster test. Manual buffer up to six frames or four RAW images; with noise reduction enabled, three frames or two RAW images; single-frame and self-timer modes | Approximately 3 fps; DPReview measures four RAW frames before the initial rate slows, with longer JPEG bursts depending on card and quality |
| Stabilisation detail | Optical VR depends on the attached lens; no sensor-shift stabilisation | Optical VR depends on the attached lens; no sensor-shift stabilisation |
| Flash | Built-in manually raised D-TTL Speedlight; manual guide number 18 m at ISO 200 or 12.7 m at ISO 100 in original manual; D-TTL guide number 17 m at ISO 200. Compatible external Speedlights, rear-curtain/slow/red-eye modes; no i-TTL; sync socket requires optional AS-15 shoe adapter | Pop-up i-TTL flash; guide number approximately 15 at ISO 200 in metres, 17 at full manual output; commander mode for compatible remote Speedlights |
| Exposure controls | P/S/A/M, 3D matrix, centre-weighted and spot metering; ±5 EV compensation; exposure/flash and white-balance bracketing. Original maker sheet specifies ten-segment SPD matrix meter; current US page says 1005-pixel CCD, a source conflict | P/S/A/M, auto and scenes; 1005-pixel RGB metering; ±5 EV compensation |
| Screen and viewfinder | ||
| Viewfinder | Optical | Optical |
| Screen size | 1.8″ | 1.8″ |
| Screen dots | 118,000 | 130,000 |
| Touchscreen | No | – |
| Tilting screen | No | No |
| Display detail | Fixed 1.8-inch TFT for menus and image playback; current US specification and original sheet give 118000 dots, original manual approximately 120000. BM-2 protective cover and illuminated top status panel | Fixed TFT; maker rounds the resolution to approximately 130000 dots. DPReview quotes 134000 |
| Viewfinder detail | Fixed pentaprism, approximately 95% coverage and 0.8× magnification with 50mm lens at infinity; selectable grid and depth-of-field preview. Current US and original sheet give 20 mm eyepoint; original manual 24 mm, retained as a source conflict | Pentamirror, approximately 95% coverage and 0.75× magnification with 50mm f/1.4 at infinity; 18 mm eyepoint; selectable grid |
| Connections and design | ||
| Battery life (maker's claim) | 370 photographs | 400 photographs |
| Body weight | 700.2 g | 595 g (better) |
| Release detail | Nikon's 2002 annual report retrospectively records launch in June 2002; no actual retail day claimed | Nikon Japan records 19 March 2004; main retains the month without assigning the Japanese day to every region |
| Recording media | Single CompactFlash Type I/II slot, Microdrive compatible; original approved capacities and models in manual, no inferred UDMA speed support | CompactFlash Type I/II and Microdrive |
| Ports | USB 1.1, switchable NTSC/PAL playback video output and EH-5 DC input. Optional MB-D100 adds ten-pin remote terminal; current US ten-pin listing does not distinguish this accessory | USB 2.0 Full-Speed, 12 Mbps rather than Hi-Speed; analogue NTSC/PAL output; optional EH-5 AC adapter input |
| Wireless connections | No built-in wireless connectivity; optional Nikon Capture software provides USB remote camera control | – |
| Battery life detail | EN-EL3 lithium-ion battery; main 370 shots is the manual's single-frame Nikon test, not CIPA, at 20°C with AF-S 24–85mm, Large/Normal JPEG, flash every other shot and shutdown after ten shots. Separate continuous Medium/Basic JPEG test approximately 1600 shots. Optional MB-D100 takes one or two EN-EL3 batteries or six AA cells | EN-EL3; approximately 400 photographs in the manual's single-frame test with flash on alternate exposures, not labelled CIPA. A separate continuous test claims approximately 2000; supplied MS-D70 holder accepts three CR2 batteries |
| Charging | External MH-18 charger; optional MH-19 or EH-5 mains adapter | External MH-18 charger |
| Dimensions | Original manual and sheet approximately 144 × 116 × 80.5 mm; current US metric width 114.78 mm conflicts with its 5.7-inch width and original maker dimensions | Approximately 140 × 111 × 78 mm |
| Weight detail | Current US approximately 700.2 g; original manual approximately 700 g without battery or memory card | Approximately 595 g excluding battery, card, body cap and monitor cover |
| Colours | Black | – |
| Video | ||
| Video detail | No movie recording or live-view shooting; NTSC/PAL output is for playback | Still-image camera without movie recording or live view |
| Audio | Voice-memo recording and playback require optional MB-D100 grip; no built-in movie audio | – |
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